Meh... Call me when they get photon torpedoes.

The man speaks sense in the vid. Assuming this works as advertised it could be a real improvement. There are already multiple CIWS mounts on every ship just about so if this can work on already existing tech thats a huge bonus. The systems already mounted are great for tracking and taking down missles or (assuming they're dumb enough to get within a mile or 3) enemy aircraft, but UAV's are small enough its more difficult, at least without wasting gobs more ammo than is really necessary considering the size of the target.

If they manage to shoot down any small rockets or mortars with that thing, at ranges greater than existing systems, then I'll be impressed. But as for UAVs, 1. Enemy UAVs are not a problem at the moment. 2. If they ever are a problem they can easily be given a reflective paint job that would protect against this laser.

>> ^entr0py:

If they manage to shoot down any small rockets or mortars with that thing, at ranges greater than existing systems, then I'll be impressed. But as for UAVs, 1. Enemy UAVs are not a problem at the moment. 2. If they ever are a problem they can easily be given a reflective paint job that would protect against this laser.


Once you can track a moving target using photon laser based technology, it isn't hard to adapt it to other systems, like focused microwaves which aren't easily reflected. And in reality, it is hard to keep the shine needed on an airborne system traveling through normal atmospheric conditions. In reality, I think it is the lack of indirect fire, and the problem of blooming that keeps directed energy technology from becoming the end all of weapons. With that said, close proximity target interdiction is where directed energy weapons shine.